Confront a fear or phobia

No matter what you’re afraid of, it takes a lot of courage to face something that scares you.

Today, challenge yourself to make a list of your fears or phobias. Then, pick one you’re ready to tackle. List some steps for overcoming it. For example, if you fear public speaking, sign up for a theater class. After you’ve listed the steps, make a commitment to conquering your fear. Each fear you overcome will give you a huge boost in your self-esteem.


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41 participants 25 entries logged
19 comments
100_0725
Posted March 10, 2008 at 04:52 AM

I have a huge phobia about going a lot of places alone. It sounds silly, but I hate doing it. Especially if it’s somewhere like a bar, club, dancing, etc… But I’ve done it twice since I got my new car, and it’s seriously liberating.

0319081211
Posted March 10, 2008 at 12:05 PM

I hate going places by myself too. I used to just stay home and be depressed if no one would go with me. So i decided to just stop being scared and go. But I don’t think I could go out to eat or a club my myself.

Babcock_calliehc07_069
Posted March 10, 2008 at 04:22 PM

I had the typical “girl hates snake” fear and decided it was pointless to have a fear of an animal I knew nothing about. I was afraid of snakes just because of what they looked like and honestly that now seems pretty embarrassing. I faced my fears gradually with a pet python and now I’m so comfortable with it that I allow it to lick my face. I love that snake! It’s so invigorating to overcome something like that. Think about it, why are you REALLY afraid of something? You’ll learn a lot about yourself if you think about that.

Lazywillie_
blurrygirl
Posted March 11, 2008 at 03:57 PM

turning 40-a little afraid of aging and having possibly missed out on some things that I thought I would have by now-
but looking forward to facing the unknown.
also terrified of the dentist and have to face that (no pun!) too, very soon…

:)

Keshia
kwhamou
Posted March 13, 2008 at 01:37 PM

I have a fear of falling. My fear is not of heights, but of like falling down by tripping or slipping. I’m kind of shy, so, added to my fear of falling is the embarrassment of witnesses to the fall. I have recently decided that I need to lose weight and have joined a gym and have a personal trainer. Unfortunately, my fear of falling has limited my progress in my training program. I tried to watch the TV screen and use the Nautilus Treadclimber, well, I almost fell on my face and have not gone near that machine again! So, my first challenge is to get back on the Treadclimber. Obviously without watching TV at the same time. :o)

Kelly_in_shades
Posted March 14, 2008 at 11:04 AM | Edited March 14, 2008 at 11:06 AM

I have a fear of bugs. My biggest fear is of cockaroaches. They are so ugly and they run so fast. I am also very phobic about mice. If my cat catches one, I freak out. I am not ready to confront my fears by being put in front of a mouse or a roach. I break out in a cold sweat just thinking about it!

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ericia
Posted March 17, 2008 at 10:50 PM

I have a fear of public speaking. Im in college now and i hate speaking in front of the class, i have to do it tommorrow so i have to conquer that fear, wish me luck!

User_thumb
Posted March 18, 2008 at 10:28 AM | Edited March 18, 2008 at 10:28 AM

I hold back saying what I want (or need) because of what the response will be or what someone will think. I’m really going to work on this because I hate how much it holds me back. Thanks for listening and wish me luck!

Arianna3
Posted March 18, 2008 at 12:22 PM

@barbdots1229: I have the same fear of cockroaches. We had them in my house when I was a child and I have never gotten over my terror. And, just like you, I’m not sure that I would be able to confront that fear.

L_53e92dddade9ea0cf994c15dc0ff41d9
Posted March 19, 2008 at 09:49 AM

After reading this challenge I realized that I was procrastinating calling back a recruiter about a position because I’m always nervous about phone interviews. So I gathered up the information I needed and gave her a call back. I think it went ok; fingers crossed. At least I took the step forward.
Gotta keep up the forward motion. Always forward.

User_thumb
Posted March 19, 2008 at 10:53 AM

i also am afraid of going to the dentist’s office!! too bad some of us go only when we HAVE TOO!!!

Green_viper
Posted March 19, 2008 at 07:38 PM

I know this is crazy but I have been deathly afraid of elevators for several years now and have not ridden in one in at least 5 years. I was stuck in a packed elevator 5 years ago for about 4 or 5 hours with no air or room to move. A man on the elevator had a panic attack and that started my fear of riding. I have actually avoided going to see my own mother in the hospital because I could not get on the elevator, and now days everyone locks the bottom stairwell doors for security. So while you can walk down you cannot walk up. Today I decided enough was enough. I listed out some steps to gradually be able to overcome this phobia. Today I got on an elevator for the first time in over 5 years. I did not ride it, but I stood on it and stayed there for 5 or 6 minutes. Tomorrow’s goal is to actually let the doors close. It’s going to kill me but I am going to do it!

User_thumb
Posted March 25, 2008 at 08:55 AM

im kinda afraid of aliens, but how would i confront that fear? i guess i’ll try my moth fear too. lol.

Bryan
Posted March 27, 2008 at 01:44 PM

Ive allways been afraid of heights! I deal with it. But it makes me nauscious. misspelled

Water_lilies
Posted March 28, 2008 at 04:17 AM

I have a fear sometimes of just leaving my house. I have started trying to make myself overcome this fear. Once I’m out there and on my way I see it was not such a “huge” thing afterall!! I have bipolar/anxiety disorder so I don’t know if that and age or what are contributing to this! It only hit me the last couple of years!

Tis_meeee
Posted March 28, 2008 at 06:49 AM

I have a few fears
1. Being buried alive…maybe i watch to many movies
2. Spiders…When i lived in Florida…there were wood spiders..dinner plate size..they would sneak in at winter time…Just thinking about them gives me the willies.
3. Going OUT to eat alone…....I had to do it once….and i wont ever do it again.

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hubbyluver
Posted March 28, 2008 at 11:14 AM

I also have a few fears

my fear of is being left alone for one . I am scared of spiders. Also afraid of no one loving me. I know these may sound silly but they are me..

Great_grandma_with_kaylin
Posted April 15, 2008 at 12:03 PM

My greatest fear is height. Here in Oregon they do not use many guard rails. I have tried to conquer my fears by driving on some of the roads going up mountainsides. It is better if I drive so I can’t see the down side of the mountains.

User_thumb
Posted April 17, 2008 at 09:04 AM

I have a fear of driving across a bridge that spans water, no matter how shallow. I had a dream when I was about 9 that an earthquake would cause the bridge to collapse and I would drown. I don’t ever remember any earthquakes in Western MD, but I guess it could happen. I also have a TREMENDOUS fear of height. I become very, very nervous just by standing on kitchen chair. I am now in the process of prepping my kitchen to paint which requires that I stand on a chair or a ladder. So far, I’ve managed. But then there’s tomorrow. . . . . . .